Monthly Archives: November 2021

Brad Chapman Offers Tips For Keeping Heating Bills Low This Winter

Heating bills seem to get more expensive each year. Fortunately, Brad Chapman Alliance Building Solutions San Bernardino County has some tips for cutting down your bills.

People often find themselves in a state of shock when they open up their first heating bill. Unfortunately, running an HVAC system often uses a lot of electricity. If you follow these tips from Brad Chapman Alliance Building Solutions San Bernardino County, however, you might be able to reduce your bills.

“First, it’s smart to compare costs year over year, including by measurement units,” notes Brad Chapman from Alliance Building Solutions in San Bernardino County “If electricity costs per kilowatt-hour increase, for example, your bills will likely increase in step.”

On the other hand, if costs per kilowatt-hour stay the same, but costs are rising substantially, there may be a problem with your HVAC system. In that case, you’ll need to schedule an HVAC inspection right away.

It’s also smart to upgrade your HVAC heating units regularly. Modern heating units are much more efficient than many systems from say 30 years ago.

“Energy-efficient heating units can cut down energy bills,” Brad Chapman from Alliance Building Solutions in San Bernardino County notes. “If you’ve got an older heating unit, upgrading may pay for itself by increasing efficiency.”

Brad Chapman from Alliance Building Solutions Says These Simply Things Can Reduce Energy Bills

Let’s assume that your HVAC system is in good repair and is efficient. In that case, there are still other things you can do to cut down on heating costs. Let’s take a look.

“Curtains are a great option because when you close them you can reduce the amount of heat lost through windows,” Brad Chapman at Alliance Building Solutions in San Bernardino County points out. “You can also use special films to increase thermal insulation.”

During the day, you can open your curtains if it’s sunny out and the sun angles through your windows. At night or on cloudy days, it’s typically best to shut them.

Windows are a major source of lost heat. The same is true for doorways. If there are gaps in the doorway, say at the bottom or top, you could lose a lot of heat. Fortunately, you can buy weather strips to reduce seepage.

“Smart thermostats are also, well, very smart,” Brad Chapman of Alliance Building Solutions in San Bernardino County says. “If no pets or people are at home, you can use your smart thermostat to drop temperatures a bit. This saves money.”

Another great idea, according to Brad Chapman from Alliance Building Solutions in San Bernardino County, is to look at solar heaters which can turn solar energy into heat that you can then pump into your home. You can also use solar panels to run electric air conditioners and heaters.

How To Prevent Frozen Pipes?

The winter months are upon us, and it’s essential to prepare for them. One of the most common problems during this period is frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage, so you must take steps now to prevent them from happening in your home. To avoid frozen pipes, here are some quick tips:

  • Keep any outside faucets flowing with water all day or night
  • Insulate hot water lines or pour antifreeze down the drain
  • Consider installing an insulating blanket on exterior faucets
  • Install insulation on exposed pipe runs
  • Install heat tape around vulnerable areas
  • Fill sinks with extra cold water
  • Check your thermostat setting
  • Make sure all exterior doors are closed to keep cold air out.

If you live in an area where it is tough for pipes to stay thawed, you may want to consider calling Plumber Sun City and having them install a system that will prevent your pipes from freezing. These methods can be expensive, but it’s better than dealing with the consequences of frozen pipes. Here are some of the most common systems plumbers will use to prevent frozen pipes.

Seal the Problem Area with Heat Tape-  this system is often called “heat tape.” It’s pretty simple to install, but keep in mind it only lasts for the duration of one season.

Pipe Heating Cable- The plumber will attach this type of heating cable directly to your water pipes. The plumber may have to cut sections out of the wall to run these cables along with your Sun City Plumbing.

Heat Pumps- plumbers will use this system by attaching a coil lengthwise along the section of pipe that goes into or through an uninsulated area. This can be very expensive because it uses electricity 24 hours a day to maintain the temperature at its’ current level when it needs to keep anything from freezing.

Thermostat Heating Cable- plumbers may attach this type of heating cable directly to the water pipes or place it on the insulation. They can also bury a separate wire around an uninsulated area to keep anything from freezing. We are the most trusted emergency plumber Granada Hills CA has to offer.

Frost Blankets & Wraps – plumbers can wrap a blanket or a plastic sheet around your water pipes. This is a temporary solution and only prevents the pipes from freezing for a short time frame.

Wood Boring Hot Application – plumbers, will drill holes into your exterior walls and feed hot cables through them up to about six feet away from where you have any water lines that could freeze. You may also get these same results if you get electric baseboard heaters installed near the area.

Heat Guns & De-Icers – plumbers will use a heat gun to blow hot air on frozen areas of your plumbing system. This is an efficient way to thaw pipes, but plumbers must pay close attention because sometimes the hot air can travel back to where it enters the home, causing scorch marks or nasty smells. You can also get de-icers that run off of electricity and are specifically for piping (not recommended outdoors).

Propane Torches – plumbers can use propane torches to thaw frozen parts of your plumbing system. However, plumbers cannot leave these unattended, or they could cause severe damage or harm to property.

All of these solutions have pluses and minuses. Depending on your situation, plumbers can use one or multiple methods to ensure frozen pipes are thawed safely and effectively.

There is no doubt that plumbing problems seem more frequent during certain months of the year. We hope this article will help to solve your dilemma of how to prevent frozen pipes.

Top 8 Renovations To Increase Your Home Value

Home Remodeling Alexandria VA is a great way to increase the value of your home, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. What are some renovations that will give you the best return on investment for each project? That’s what we’re going to explore today! 

Below are ten renovation projects that have been rated the most valuable according to Remodeling magazine. The article states that homeowners can expect an average of 74% return on their total remodel costs when they complete these eight projects. For example, increasing the size of a bathroom by only 10% increases the home value by 84%. See if any of these sound exciting or meaningful enough to hold off until you save up some cash!

1. Bathroom Remodeling

A new bathroom can rejuvenate you. This renovation has caused the most significant return on investment of any project that Remodeling magazine studied. Bathroom Remodel Vienna VA is an average of 74% more valuable than after other projects, which is impressive considering the second-highest was adding a master bedroom at 38%. This is perfect for you if you want to make some updates to your home but aren’t ready for something as drastic as moving rooms around or building an addition!

2. Room Addition (like a master bedroom)

Just like bathrooms, master bedrooms are another high-value renovation. For every 10% increase in the size of your master suite, your home’s value increases by nearly 39%. This is an excellent project if you’re looking to improve your home’s value.

3. Bathroom Or Master Suite Renovations

If you live in an older home, it may not have the same amenities as newer homes. Renovating either your bathroom, adding a master bedroom (or both) would be massive upgrades and give your home more character. Getting these two rooms up-to-date will make buyers see the potential of your home and want to pay more for it! Bathrooms are essential because they can help sell a house faster which means less time on the market and less chance you’ll end up with someone who isn’t fully committed to buying your home, as we talked about earlier.

4. Kitchen Renovations

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and just like it keeps you alive, it can also keep a house alive on the market by increasing its value. One major reason kitchens sell homes so quickly is that everyone loves to cook, and if they don’t already have a luxury kitchen, they want one. Upgrade what you currently have or start fresh with new cabinets, appliances, and countertops, which will instantly increase your home’s value by thousands!

5. Makeover The Exterior Of Your Home

While we’re on the topic of selling fast, sometimes it’s as easy as adding curb appeal, which adds that first impression “WOW” factor buyers will notice as soon as they pull into your driveway. This extra bit of TLC could be the difference between selling your home in days or weeks.

6. Makeover The Interior Of Your Home

The following best way to sell your house is to make it as appealing on the inside as it is on the outside. A fresh coat of paint, neutralizing any wrong colors, and increased lighting are all simple but effective ways you can increase your home’s value. As well as creating a more modern space with new flooring, furniture, and wall décor. 

7. Modernize Appliances and Fixtures

One common complaint among buyers is when they find out their dream home has old appliances which may not work correctly or require “extensive” repairs down the road. I’ll tell you now that no one wants to worry about spending money on their own home. It’s like buying a brand new car; you want to drive it off the lot without hassle or financial concern. So if your appliances are in desperate need of being replaced, consider doing it before putting your house on the market. Along with that, be sure to replace all broken, dirty, and older fixtures for things such as light switches, taps/faucets, outlets/plug covers, and door hardware. This will give your home a fresh look in no time!

8. Upgrading An Outdated Heating System

Unless there is some sentimental value attached to your old furnace, this should be one of the first things you change after purchasing a new property. Since that furnace may have been installed when the house was built, it’s probably about to upgrade to a more efficient system. This is beneficial for your wallet and the environment!

Many other updates can make your home more attractive or functional for you, but these are some of the more common ones. If you want more ideas on getting started with renovations, visit your local hardware store, where staff members are always happy to provide referrals.